Prevent mosquito-borne disease on holiday overseas

Symptoms

Dengue causes severe flu-like symptoms including:

fever

headaches

muscle and joint pains

rash

nausea and vomiting.

There are 5 different strains of dengue virus. An initial infection will result in dengue fever. However, a subsequent infection with a different strain can lead to a severe form of the illness that may be fatal if not treated appropriately.

The mosquito that transmits dengue breeds in water-filled, man-made containers in urban areas. It is often found near or inside buildings and bites during the day.

Prevention

Risk regions

The risk of infection is high in popular travel destinations such as Indonesia (Bali), Vietnam, Thailand and India, however, dengue occurs in a wide range of countries. Many travellers from Western Australia return from south-east Asian countries with dengue infection, with Bali the most common source.

Malaria is a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes in a range of overseas countries. There are 5 different species of malaria parasite that can cause disease in people.

Symptoms of malaria include:

headache

fever

chills

fatigue

nausea and vomiting.

In some cases, infection can lead to severe illness (coma, seizures, anaemia, breathing difficulties) and may be fatal if not treated appropriately.

Prevention

Always speak to your travel GP at least 6 weeks before you travel overseas. Pregnant women should not travel to regions where malaria is present, and parents should avoid taking young children to areas where there is a substantial risk of infection. If travel cannot be avoided, it is important to take anti-malarial medication to prevent infection. Your travel doctor will advise you if this treatment is necessary and can provide recommendations on the best anti-malarial treatment for your destination and length of time away.

Risk regions

The risk of infection is particularly high if you are traveling to Africa, Central and Southern America, the Pacific or south-east Asian countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and southern Vietnam. The risk of infection remains substantial in a number of other popular travel destinations in Asia, Central and South America.

Prevention

Risk regions

The risk of infection has traditionally been highest in Africa and Asia. More recently, the disease has emerged in countries in the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions as well as south-east Asia and the Caribbean.

Symptoms

Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Infection can lead to two distinct phases of disease.

The first phase results in:

fever

muscle pain

headache

nausea and vomiting.

Patients often recover after 3 to 4 days. Some patients will enter a more serious, toxic phase where the fever returns, jaundice occurs and blood appears in the vomit. The toxic phase may be fatal if not treated appropriately.

Prevention

Vaccination is the most effective form of prevention against yellow fever, and is recommended for people aged 9 months and older who travel to areas where there is a risk of infection. A single dose provides lifelong immunity. It is very important to speak to your travel GP at least 6 weeks before travelling overseas to see if you need a yellow fever vaccine. Once infected, there is no specific treatment for the disease. Most countries have regulations and requirements regarding the need for yellow fever vaccination. If you have visited areas where the disease is endemic, a Yellow Fever International Certificate of Vaccination may be required in order to enter other countries and to re-enter Australia. Yellow fever vaccinations are given by WA Health approved yellow fever vaccination providers (PDF 175KB).

Risk regions

Symptoms

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes. Many individuals infected with Japanese encephalitis virus will have very mild or no symptoms. However, in some cases Japanese encephalitis can cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) resulting in:

headache

high fever

disorientation

coma

tremors

fits.

In such cases, infection can lead to permanent brain damage or be fatal.

Prevention

Vaccination is the most effective form of prevention against Japanese encephalitis. It is very important to speak to your travel GP at least 6 weeks before traveling overseas, to see if you need a Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Once infected, there is no specific treatment for the disease.

Risk regions

The risk of infection is highest in Asian countries, including several common travel destinations from Australia (China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and India). Whilst rare outbreaks have occurred in the outer Torres Strait Islands, only one locally acquired infection has ever been reported in Australia (far north Queensland).

Prevention

Risk regions

​Local outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been reported from tropical regions in Africa and Asia with activity recently spreading into the Pacific Ocean, Central America, the Caribbean and South America – particularly Brazil and Colombia. Read more about Zika virus on Healthy WA and the Australian Department of Health website (external site).

Other mosquito-borne diseases

The diseases listed above represent the mosquito-borne diseases that West Australians most frequently acquire when traveling overseas, or that pose the greatest health risks. However, you should be aware that there are many other mosquito-borne diseases that occur worldwide. It is recommended that you always see your travel doctor before travelling overseas to seek advice on the risks associated with your travel plans, and the need for specific measures such as vaccines and antimalarial medicines, where these are appropriate.

Where to get help

Visit a health professional if you become sick whilst overseas.

If you become ill on your return to Australia, see your doctor immediately and advise them of your recent travel history.

Ring healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

Acknowledgements

Environmental Health

Fight the Bite is an initiative of the Government of South Australia.This web content has been reproduced and adapted with permission from SA Health.

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.